Float-actuated valve.



No. 688,166. Patented Dec. 3, I90].

7 G. B. GAYLORD.

FLOAT ACTUATED VALVE.

' Application filed Jan. 28, 1901.)

040 Model.)

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UNTTET STATES PATENT ()rrrcn.

GEORGE E. GAYLORD, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

FLOAT-ACT U-ATED VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 688,166, dated December 3, 1901. Application filed January 28, 1901. Serial No. 45,072. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, GEORGE E. GAYLORD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Spring field, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Float-Actuated Valves; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has relation to valves designed chiefiy for flushing-tanks for closets,

urinals, and the like and which are controlled by the change of level of the water through the instrumentality of a float.

The purpose of the invention is to render more sensitive the action of the float and valve, to enable a smaller float to be used than has been possible heretofore for a valve of given size, to simplify and materially reduce the cost of repairs, and to enable the valve to be used either as a top or a bottom supply.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof, and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

WVhile the essential and characteristic features of the invention. are necessarily susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a central longitudinal section of a valve embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification arranged as a bottom supply. Fig. 3 is a detail view of an elbow for enabling either form of valve to be used as a top supply. Fig. 4: is a detail view of the couplings for enabling the valve to be used as a bottom supply. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the adjustable plate.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The construction is such as to admit of the cut-off valve and balance-piston being wholly incased, thereby obviating the necessity for packing, which would be required if any part of the valve or balance piston protruded beyond the casing and which would add to the cost of construction and increase the resistance to the movement of the valve, thereby making it impracticable to use a comparatively small float.

The valve-casing 1 may be of any form, according. to the design and specific character of the cooperating parts, and, as shown in Fig. 1, the casing is formed with parallel passages 2 and 3, intercommunicating at their opposite ends, and, as shown in Fig. 2, the easing is formed with passages 4. and 5, communicating at one end with the inlet 6 and joined at the opposite end by means of a passage 7. Each form of casing is provided with an inlet 6 and an outlet 8, threaded for connection therewith of the proper couplings, according to the relative position of the valve-that is, Whether used as a bottom or top supply. Any

form of the valve can be used either as a bottom or a top supply and when arranged horizontally an'elbow 9 is coupled to the inlet 6 and when disposed in a vertical position an elbow 10 is coupled with the outlet 8 to direct the water toward the bottom of the tank, and the fittings shown in Figs. 2 and 4 are coupled to the inlet 6. These fittings consist of a reducing-thimble 11, a clampnut 12, a union 13, and a flanged thimble 14c. The inlet 6 and outlet 8 have a right-angular disposition, and a valve-seat 15 is located intermediate thereof and consists of a ring of leather, vulcanite, lead, or other suitable material fitted in an annular groove 16, surrounding the opening 17, by means of which the inlet and outlet havecominunication. The valve-seat 15 can be placed in position in the annular groove through the outlet 8 and can be replaced at a nominal cost when worn or injured in any manner.

The valve 18 operates in the passage 3, and the end adjacent the valve-seat is provided with an annular projection 19 to come in con tact with said seat and out off the supply of water. This valve 18 is controlled by means of the float 20 in the usual manner. A piston 21 operates in the passage 3 in the rear of the valve 18, and the end remote from the valve 18 is packed to provide a close fit between the said piston and the passage 3. This piston 21 is wholly independent of the valve 18 and is not connected therewith in any manner and may be properly termed a balancepiston.

The valve 18 (illustrated in Fig. 2) operates in the passage 5, and the balance-piston 21 operates in the passage 7 in a direction at a right angle to the rectilinear movement of the valve 18. The meeting ends of the valve 18 and the balance-piston 21 are inclined, as shown at 22, whereby one rides upon the other by a cam or wedge action. As shown in Fig. 1, the casing is com posed of two parts bolted or otherwise secured together, thereby admitting of the valve 18 and the balancepiston 21 being placed in position; but in the form shown in Fig. 2 the casing is an integral construction, and the passages 5 and 7 are open at one end for the ready insertion of the valve 18 and the balance-piston 21 and are closed, respectively, by caps 23 and 2t.

The vital feature of the invention is the independent cut-ofi valve and the balance-piston, whereby the cut-off valve is enabled to be more responsive in its action under the influence of the float, so as to shut off the supply of water and enable the use ofa smaller float than has heretofore been possible with a valve of given size. When the cut-cit valve is closed, the water exerts a pressure against the cut-off and balance-piston, and this pressure is neutralized, because of the opposite disposition of the valve and the balance-piston. Hence the buoyant action of the valve is utilized solely to hold the cut off valve seated,thereby obviating leak. The balancepiston having a close fit in the passage requires appreciable force to move it and if coupled or otherwise positively attached to the cut-off valve would add to the load of the float when buoyed-upward and act to close the cut-01f valve. By having the valve and the balance-piston wholly disconnected the float is relieved of the force required to move the balance piston, and the latter is actuated solely by the pressure of the water. When the cut-01f valve is nearly seated or entirely closed, the pressure of the water is exerted upon the balance-piston and drives it forward against the cut-off valve to assist in seating the latter and holding the latter closed when seated, as' will be readily comprehended. The pivotal end of the float rod or lever engages with the cut-off valve in the usual manner, so as to cause a movement thereof in the required direction, according to the rise and fall of the water in the tank. This float-rod is composed of sections 25 and 26, pivotally connected at 27, thereby making provision for adapting the rod to the valve whether used as a bottom or a top supply. The two sections 25 and 26 are held in an adjusted position by means of a toothed segment 28, a corresponding toothed plate 29, and a clamp-screw 30. The toothed segment 28.is attached to the inner end of the section 26, and its teeth are concentric with the pivot connection 27 between the sections 25 and 26. The toothed plate 29 is secured to the section 25 by means of the clamp-screw 30. Upon loosening the clamp-screw 30 the teeth of the plate 29 can be disengaged from the teeth of the segment 28, and the section 26 can be turned to the required angle and is fixed with reference to the section 25 by readjustment of the plate 29, with its teeth engaging with the teeth of the segment 28 and turning the clamp-screw 30 up tight.

The valve has a dovetail recess in a side of its stem to receive a corresponding dovetail projection of a plate 31, whereby the valve can be attached to the top edge of the tank when used as a top supply, said plate having openings in its ends toreceive screws, bolts, or like fastenings, by means of which the valve is secured to the tank. This plate is adj nstable, so that it can be removed when the valve is fitted to the tank as a bottom supply.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In avalve, a casing having an inlet and an outlet juxtaposed with an intermediate valve-seat, and having independent passages in communication at opposite ends and connecting with the said inlet and outlet, a cutoflf valve for controlling communication between the inlet and the outlet and located wholly and entirely Within the casing, a floatlever for positively moving the cut-ofi. valve in opposite directions, and a balance-piston independent of the cut-off valve arranged entirely within the casing and actuated by the pressure of the water to neutralize the force of the water on the cut-cit valve, snbstantially as described.

2. In a valve, a casing having independent passages and having an inlet and an outlet in communication with said passages, a cut-off valve for controlling communication between the inlet and outlet and having an inclined portion, and a balance-piston disposed in one of the passages at an angle to the cut-off valve and having an inclined portion for cooperation with the inclined part of the cut-off valve to act in opposition to the latter and hold it seated against the pressure of water, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE B. GAYLORD. [L. s]

Witnesses:

GEO. A. BACON, RosE M. QUIGLEY. 

